Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Focusing on the future.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"I didn't know how to tell you," I said softly. "It wasn't something I hid on purpose. I was afraid of how the academy might react if they found out I was pregnant. I wasn't sure if they would still accept me." Dwayne's expression grew somber, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and disappointment.

"Even me?" His voice was calm but carried a weight that made me feel small. "Arielle, we are friends. I know I have no right to demand anything from you, but you could've at least told me. I'd never rat you out, not if you were afraid of that."

I looked down, "I'm sorry. I really did think of telling you, but... I didn't know how you'd react. And honestly, what could you have done? You're not a doctor, and you're not a woman who can relate to pregnancy."

He shook his head gently, his voice unwavering. "You don't give me enough credit. I would've done anything to help you. You know I would've been there for you. Hell, I wouldn't have even gone on that trip if I knew." He paused, a small sigh escaping his lips. "What would you have done if I had already boarded that plane?"

The thought sent a chill through me. I hadn't let myself consider it before, how isolated I truly was without my family nearby. If Dwayne hadn't been there... I would've been helpless.

"You're right," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I really don't know what I would've done. I'm sorry..."

He let out a small breath, the tension between us lifting slightly. "It's fine," he said, offering me a reassuring smile. "But honestly, how did you even manage to keep a pregnancy hidden for nine months?"

I chuckled, relieved at his change in tone. "Tummy wraps, flowy dresses, all sorts of tricks to conceal the bump. I couldn't risk losing the scholarship."

"Women are something else," he said, his eyes widening in disbelief. "I give it to you."

our moment. "Come in," I called, my heart

kind smile, before turning to Dwayne. "He's ready

tiny bundle, his eyes softening. "He's really something," he murmured. "Gonna

watched him hold my son so naturally. The way Dwayne held him, cradling him with such tenderness, stirred something deep inside me. It wasn't a comparison-I hadn't meant to-but for the first time in a long while, I thought about Jared. My ex-husband. I hadn't thought

the sharp pang

sadness. Just a strange calmness. Maybe, just maybe, this child would

had people who loved him, and I realized

again, a sense of hope swelled within me. This little boy didn't need to be defined by his absent father. He had a future ahead of him, and I would make sure it was filled with love

close. "For everything. I

to thank me. You don't owe me anything, Arielle. I'm just glad you and the

I can do to repay you, please, just

but with a trace of gravity. "Careful, don't make

in the

me a

a moment, we fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound being the gentle coos from my son. But then, Dwayne's voice

something I've been meanine

g to ask.

measured, as though carefully weighing his